THE Cinnamon Trust is many things to terminally ill or elderly people across the country but for Appleton grandma Christine Montgomery, it is her 'security blanket'.

The 59-year-old was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour three days after her husband Cameron, aged 70, died suddenly of a heart attack in October last year.

It meant there was nobody to walk the couple's much-loved Yorkshire Terrier LB until a social worker suggested she get in touch with the specialist national charity.

The former communications employee, who is in a wheelchair after breaking her back last year falling 8ft down the stairs, said: "I felt awful LB probably couldn't be walked but there was no way I could give him up as he's got me through a lot.

"Losing Cameron was a big gap in his life too as he would walk LB three times a day and he couldn't understand where he had gone.

"The Cinnamon Trust were marvellous and now if I have to go into hospital I can phone somebody to come out and get LB and foster him as well as someone to regularly walk him.

"I know he will also eventually be rehomed too which is a really good security blanket."

The charity asks owners to fill in details to set up a profile for the pet including their likes, dislikes and temperament before a suitable volunteer is found.

For mum-of-three Christine, whose children all live far away, the peace of mind it brings is priceless.

She added: "It's nice to have someone to say 'How's it going', it makes a great difference.

"I get great satisfaction knowing LB has gone out for a walk and he is always excited to see Mark at the door.

"The volunteers cheer me up no end and without them life would have been awful."

MANY Cinnamon Trust volunteers are often people too busy to have a dog of their own but for Stockton Heath volunteer Mark Grimes, it has been a case of doing his bit for the canine community.

The 46-year-old, who regularly walks LB, said: "The shifts I work are four on, four off so I had quite a bit of free time and wanted to do something constructive with it.

"I'm a big dog lover so it seemed like the perfect thing to do.

"It's very rewarding and I do it primarily for the dogs but it's also great to know you have helped someone out.

"I would recommend it to anyone because you get out walking some lovely dogs and meet some really nice people.

"I've even started walking Chris' neighbour's dog now too."

THE cause, which is the only specialist national charity for the terminally ill and their beloved pets, urgently need dog walking volunteers in Appleton.

Named after the founder's pet corgi Cinnamon, volunteers relieve anxieties and problems for elderly owners by taking dogs for a walk, fetching cat food or cleaning out bird cages.

Anyone who can spare an hour a week should call during office hours 01736 758707 or email volunteer@cinnamon.org.uk.

For more information, visit cinnamon.org.uk.